“This spring and summer we’re pleased to announce a wide range of outdoor programming that promotes health and wellness and enables visitors to more fully experience our beautiful gardens,” said Kathy Abbott, CEO of Tower Hill Botanic Garden. “Tower Hill Botanic Garden is the ideal spot for anyone wishing to get outside this summer, whether it’s for restorative yoga, tai chi, or a hike through our gorgeous woodland trails and gardens.”

Schedule of programs and events

Learn To Meditate: Monthly Summer Workshops, Saturdays, June 7, July 12, August 9 and September 13, 10:30-11:30am

Join Rebecca D’Onofrio for a monthly meditation workshop. Learn meditation techniques that will help you to calm and settle your mind and body, helping you to open up to your environment in the present moment. This workshop is also a great complement to the other workshops Rebecca has taught and is a great way to continue the practices already learned. Open to all levels.

Guided Garden Tour, Wednesdays, June 11-July 16th, 6:30-7:30 pm

Enjoy a guided tour of beautiful Tower Hill Botanic Garden, with seasonal highlights. Learn about the history of the Worcester County Horticultural Society that owns and operates Tower Hill Botanic Garden, and learn about the Garden's future goals. Free with admission.

Father’s Day Weekend, Saturday, June 14th and Sunday June 15th

Free admission for all dads on Father’s Day Weekend at Tower Botanic Garden. Fun for the entire family while exploring the beauty of the gardens.

Join instructor Rebecca D’Onofrio for an exploration into meditation and contemplative practices that will help you get in touch in with the richness of your everyday life. Rebecca will teach the foundation practice of 'calmly abiding' and will build upon that with the contemplative themes of contentment, joy, and fearlessness as it applies to your everyday life. There will be instruction as well as group discussion and exercises. This series is open to all, no experience necessary.

Butterfly Walk, Saturday, July 19, 10am-Noon

Tower Hill's gardens and meadows provide bountiful food and shelter for a variety of butterflies in both their adult and larval forms. Join expert guides from the Massachusetts Butterfly Club to learn more about these beautiful insects and how you can attract them to your own gardens. Perhaps you'll see a Red-spotted Admiral or a Silver-spotted Skipper, among the many butterflies large and small that make their home at Tower Hill. Please bring close focus binoculars if you have them. Included with admission

Vegetable Garden Tours, Wednesdays: July 23, August 20 and September 17, 5-6pm; Saturday, August 9, 10-11am

Join staff horticulturist Dawn Davies for a tour of the vegetable garden at Tower Hill. This year’s theme is “Vegging Out”, highlighting our sustainable garden techniques; nutritional benefits of the produce harvested; physical, mental, and emotional benefits gained from working in the garden; and the positive environmental impacts you can make in your own back yard. Included with admission.

Restorative Yoga - Take it Home, Sunday, August 24, 9am-12pm

If you are often On The Go and wish to start incorporating easy ways to slow yourself down within your daily routine, then this workshop is for you! It has been said, tension is who we think we are and relaxation is who we really are...so let's begin the process of letting go of tension together! Learn simple ways to unwind through breath and supported yoga postures. All you need is your mat. Blankets and props will be provided.

Caterpillar Finding and Tracking Walk, Sunday, August 24, 1-4pm

It is the height of the New England caterpillar season and Tower Hill Botanic Garden has many great habitats and plants to search for these little known and often bizarre creatures. Join naturalist and caterpillar expert Sam Jaffe, director of The Caterpillar Lab, and go on a caterpillar safari on a Sunday afternoon. Consider this walk if you want to expand your view and understanding of our local ecosystems, if you want to learn more about the amazing diversity our region’s native plants support, or if you have just been desperate to see some new and unexpected things close to home.

Moth Night, Wednesday, August 27, 8-10pm

Enjoy an evening learning about and observing moths and other night flying insects with naturalists Dave Small and Sue Cloutier. They will share their knowledge and enthusiasm for these amazing animals, beginning indoors with an introduction to moths, followed by an evening of looking at moth attracting lights and baited trees. Bring your camera and flashlight. For all ages (children must be accompanied by adult) Included with admission.

Yoga by Nature, Wednesdays, 6-7:15pm and Fridays, 9-10:15am

Yoga by Nature is about opening up to your body on a deeper level. Every class is guided to fit individual needs; all levels welcome. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about cultivating breath awareness, mindfulness, and feel how all of the elements of nature exist in you as well. During the nice weather, we will be practicing on the lawn outside, surrounded by the beautiful gardens at Tower Hill.

Tails ‘n Trails, Saturday and Sundays, 9-11 am, and Tuesdays 3-5 pm.

Calling all pet lovers! Hike with your dog on Tower Hill’s beautiful woodland trails during Tails ‘Trails. Walk a beautiful 1-mile loop past the Wildlife Refuge Pond and Inner Park that features hundreds of species of trees and plants and a variety of birds. Perfect for all pet and garden lovers.

For more information on all of Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s events and programs, please visit www.towerhillbg.org.

Related Slideshow: 15 Things to Do in Central MA Before Summer

Check out these great events in Central Massachusetts during May and June.

Paulie's New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival

Canal District

Worcester, MA

Friday-Sunday, June 20-22

6:00 PM

The 7th annual Paulie's New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival is as authentic a New Orleans music festival as you will find in the Northeast. The festical features New Orleans bands, food, and refreshments.

Ghost The Musical

Relive the iconic and magical moments from the Oscar-winning movie "Ghost" in a brand-new Broadway musical. GHOST THE MUSICAL breathes glorious new life into a timeless love story. The musical features an original pop score from multiple Grammy Award-winners Dave Stewart, one half of the 80s pop duo the Eurythmics, and Glen Ballard, co-writer with Alanis Morissette on the multi-platinum album Jagged Little Pill, among many other notable credits and collaborations. The musical’s tale of everlasting love is thrilling entertainment for audiences of all ages

Food Truck Festivals of New England

Worcester Food Truck Festival

Elm Park

Saturday, June 21

11AM - 4PM

Food Truck Festivals of New England is back to Worcester for our 3rd year at Elm Park! C'mon down and experience New England's food trucks in your own neighborhood! Check out our food truck line up so far!

Tony Soul Project Liz Diamonds Sunday Rockin Jam

Liz's DiamondGrill
1 Menfi Way
Hopedale, MA

Sunday, June 1

3-7 PM

The Blues Jam is back at Liz's DiamondGrill. Great food and drinks as always and then add some awesome live music how can you go wrong on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The patio area is open so you can soak up the sun as you take it all in. Tony Soul Project puts on a seriously good time.

Come and sing, play, dance, have a drink, some fine food, and free popcorn. It's a rock & roll party We provide a full PA, bass rig, drums. Guitarists bring your own amp, No Cover

REC Spring Garden Festival & Plant Sale

YouthGROW Oread Street Farm
63 Oread Street
Worcester, MA 01610

Saturday, May 17
10:00 AM-4:00 PM

On Saturday May 17th between 10:00-4:00, the Regional Environmental Council (REC) will kick off the growing season by hosting their annual Spring Garden Festival & Plant Sale. The event will be held at the REC YouthGROW farm on 63 Oread street Worcester, MA 01610.

Diana Ross: The Greatest Hits Tour

The Hanover Theater
2 Southbridge St.
Worcester, MA 01608

Tuesday, June 17

8:00 PM

The one and only Diana Ross will be making summer nights red hot as she returns to The Hanover Theatre after a SOLD OUT 2011 show! The legendary icon will perform her greatest hits in a multi-city spectacular live show as her 2014 “Greatest Hits Tour” opens in Worcester! Ms. Ross will be pulling out all the stops with breathtaking costumes and stage designs.

Flight of the Imagination

Do you dream of adventures in the sky? The EcoTarium and the AeroVenture Institute have partnered to offer "Flight of the Imagination."

This unique program is a scientific journey of the human discovery of flight and consists of four interactive Flight Briefings, culminating with a one-on-one experience of actual flight time in an airplane!

The first three briefings will be held at the EcoTarium and the final briefing will take place at the Worcester Regional Flight Academy.

WOOphoria: Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

College of the Holy Cross: Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field
1 College Street
Worcester, MA 01610

Friday, June 13, 2014
5:30 PM-8:00 PM

Meet & mingle with a variety of WOO venues! Meet the Worcester Bravehearts new mascot Jake! Have the opportunity to get player autographs! Enjoy concessions, raffles, prizes and more! Worcester Bravehearts will take on the Torrington Titans at 7 p.m. Stay for postgame fireworks!

Snakes Alive!

Pince Crest Lodge
84 Bemis Road
Hubbardston

Thursday, May 22

7:00 PM

Find out about the mythology and superstitions associated with these fascinating reptiles, why some are on the endangered species list, and which ones you are most likely to encounter in your backyard or on a hike. The Hubbardston Nature Club is hosting a free public presentation by Peter Mirick, Editor and Wildlife Biologist for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

His talk will cover information on the state’s 14 native snakes, provide anecdotal accounts of his experiences with them, and include live snakes to observe and handle.

Taste of Local

Lanni Orchards Inc.
294 Chase Rd, Rt. 13
Lunenburg, Ma. 01462

Sat, May 17th - 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sun. May 18th - 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sat, June 14th - 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sun, June 15th - 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Stop by and try before you buy, a great opportunity to sample everything local. Fresh baked pies, fresh baked bread, oils, vinegars, Italian cookies, Effie's biscuits and crackers, Dom's meat, Shaw Farm milk & ice cream and so much more!!! Special Father's Day raffle! Check out the website for special Taste of Local Coupons!!

The Fox on the Fairway

Theater at the Mount
444 Green Street
Gardner, Massachusetts 01440

Friday-Saturday 8 PM, June 3-14

A tribute to the great English farces of the 1930s and 1940s, The Fox on the Fairway takes audiences on a hilarious romp which pulls the rug out from underneath the stuffy denizens of a private country club. Filled with mistaken identities, slamming doors, and over-the-top romantic shenanigans, it’s a furiously paced comedy that recalls the Marx Brothers’ classics. A charmingly madcap adventure about love, life, and man’s eternal love affair with… golf.

Strawberry Festival

Lanni Orchards Inc.
294 Chase Rd, Rt. 13
Lunenburg, Ma. 01462

Saturday and Sunday, June 21 & 22
8 AM to 6 PM

Pick your own strawberries (you can bring your own containers or we have one's for you). Make your own strawberry shortcake, hay rides, bouncy house, chocolate dipping fountain, food & so much more! Come spend the day picking strawberries having lunch and making your own strawberry shortcake for dessert! Please visit our website for special coupons just for the Strawberry Festival!

Run or Dye

Run or Dye Worcester June 2014
Park Ave
Worcester , MA 01601

Saturday, June 21

9:00 AM

Run or Dye is the world's most colorful fun run! Participating in Run or Dye sends an important message: that you're all about living life in full color! At our colorful event, you'll get blasted with safe, eco-friendly, powdered dye...turning you into a technicolor canvas of fun. Plus, there's a huge party afterward, where you "Dye the Sky" with the free dye packet your receive. The result? Run or Dye is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you'll love.